CHARLESTON SC—Cold weather was the overwhelming theme as the National team took the practice field Thursday at The Citadel.

The National team began practice indoors on Thursday under former NFL and college head coach Chan Gailey as they walked through some plays and got stretched out. The National team then headed outside to Willson Field for their 36-play script.

Coach Gailey was very satisfied with Thursday’s practice, even though the outside portion was shortened due to cold weather.

“We got a lot done inside and outside,” he said. “I’m very satisfied with today’s practice result. We got 40 good minutes outside and got through all of our plays.”

Coach Gailey put some wrinkles in the offense, with many screens and reverses taking place. South Carolina wide receiver Damiere Byrd was the recipient of several of these plays as his speed and quickness make him a viable option.

Defense also made several impressive plays. On the first play of the outside portion, Ole Miss linebacker Serderius Bryant hauled in a one-handed interception that would have gone for a touchdown. The National team is loaded with playmakers on both sides of the ball.

When asked about the game Saturday, Coach Gailey said, “I’m confident going into tomorrow’s practice, but there is still some thing’s to work out.”

On Friday, both teams will have their walk-throughs at Johnson Hagood Stadium.

The Medal of Honor Bowl, which will be televised nationally by the NBC Sports Network, is a premier all-star that features the nation’s top draft-eligible college football players as projected for the NFL Draft. The game honors the Medal of Honor Museum Foundation, disable veterans, and wounded warriors.

Game tickets, which range from $15-$40, may be secured at the Medal of Honor Bowl Game’s dedicated website www.MOHbowl.com. They will also be available at The Citadel Athletic Ticket Office at 843/953-DOGS (3647). One Lucky ticket holder will drive home with a new Mercedes-Benz, thanks to Baker Motors and Mercedes-Benz.

For more information, please refer to Twitter:@MOHbowl and Facebook.com/MOHbowl

Parks, a running back, suffered a calf strain, while Worthy, a wide receiver, fractured his foot.

Their roster spots will not be replaced.

The Medal of Honor Bowl, which will be televised live nationally by the NBC Sports Network at 2:30 pm, is a premier all-star game the features the nation’s top draft-eligible college football players as projected for the NFL Draft. The game honors the Medal of Honor recipients and the game’s beneficiaries, the Medal of Honor Museum Foundation, disabled veterans and wounded warriors.

Tickets, which range from $15-$40, may be secured at the Medal of Honor Bowl Game’s dedicated website www.MOHbowl.com. They are also available at The Citadel Athletic Ticket Office at 843/953-DOGS (3647).

For more information, please refer to Twitter: @MOHbowl and Facebook.com/MOHbowl

CHARLESTON SC — Under direction of former NFL and college head coach Chan Gailey, the National team concluded their third day of practice on a cold and windy day at The Citadel’s Willson field on Wednesday afternoon.

However, the cold weather did not stop the National team from having a successful day of practice. The offense looked sharp, and the defense was playing as unit as they made multiple big plays in a scrimmage.

It was clear that Wednesday’s focus on offense was on the tight end position. Auburn’s C.J. Uzomah, and Bowie State’s Khari Lee were all over the field, scoring touchdowns and making blocks leading to touchdowns. Wide receivers were not the only guys who can score for the offense.

While the fundamentals and X’s and O’s were the main focus of the practice, leadership and a little fun were not hard to find.

Rutgers’ quarterback Gary Nova and Clemson offensive linemen David Beasley were having a ball on the practice field as each could be found leading chants or getting their respective positions hyped up for drills.

Only with their teams for less than a week, the National team has found its defensive leader. Navy’s Paul Quessenberry not only kept his fellow linebackers on their toes, but also the entire team. Quessenberry is a natural leader and can be heard all across the field.

The Medal of Honor Bowl, which will be televised nationally by the NBC Sports Network, is a premier all-star that features the nation’s top draft-eligible college football players as projected for the NFL Draft. The game honors the Medal of Honor Museum Foundation, disable veterans and wounded warriors.

Game tickets, which range from $15-$40, may be secured at the Medal of Honor Bowl Game’s dedicated website www.MOHbowl.com. They will also be available at The Citadel Athletic Ticket Office at 843/953-DOGS (3647). One Lucky ticket holder will drive home with a new Mercedes-Benz, thanks to Baker Motors and Mercedes-Benz.

For more information, please refer to Twitter:@MOHbowl and Facebook.com/MOHbowl

CHARLESTON, SC — The American team began finding team chemistry as the third day of practice concluded Wednesday afternoon at The Citadel’s Willson Field.

The American team, under supervision of Hall of Fame coach Willie Jeffries, practiced again in pads and helmets. Practice was the most physical so far this week with the thumping sounds of pads occurring on nearly every play.

Linebackers Edwin Jackson of Georgia Southern and Norkeithus Otis of the University of North Carolina were the leaders of the physical play. Both made loud, hard-hitting plays multiple times. One of the defensive coaches was heard saying, “Otis is one of the most instinctive players I ever coached.” Evidently, physicality will not be a problem for Coach Jeffries’ team when Saturday’s game kicks off at 2:30.

On top of the intensity of Wednesday’s practice, timing was another item that was addressed. The quarterback and running back exchange, along with quarterback and wide receiver timing were two big topics during the session. Coach Jeffries is trying to get these guys as sharp in one week as most teams take all summer to obtain.

Florida International wide receiver Glenn Coleman seemed to be the beneficiary of the quarterback-receiver timing drills, catching multiple passes.

The Medal of Honor Bowl, which will be televised nationally by the NBC Sports Network, is a premier all-star that features the nation’s top draft-eligible college football players as projected for the NFL Draft. The game honors the Medal of Honor Museum Foundation, disable veterans and wounded warriors.

Game tickets, which range from $15-$40, may be secured at the Medal of Honor Bowl Game’s dedicated website www.MOHbowl.com. They will also be available at The Citadel Athletic Ticket Office at 843/953-DOGS (3647). One Lucky ticket holder will drive home with a new Mercedes-Benz, thanks to Baker Motors and Mercedes-Benz.

For more information, please refer to Twitter:@MOHbowl and Facebook.com/MOHbowl.

CHARLESTON, SC— The American team, led by Hall of Fame coach Willie Jeffries, finished their second day of Medal of Honor Bowl practice on Tuesday in pads and helmets at The Citadel’s Willson Field.

“We will get better with repetition,” said Coach Jeffries. “We’ve got a ways to go, but we’re seeing great progress.”

The defense was the unanimous winner of today’s practice session with multiple interceptions and backfield tackles. One of the plays of the day was a tip-drill interception that was batted by Liberty free safety Jacob Hagen that ended up in Kansas safety Cassius Sendish’s hands.

It was somewhat hard to be at practice without hearing the voice of Sendish along with Georgia Southern linebacker Edwin Jackson. They are taking vocal leadership roles for the defensive unit.

While the defense was on their game, there were also many positives on offense. Former Citadel center and current Winston Salem State halfback Mike Sellers was all over the field. Whether it was blocking or catching passes, Sellers was consistently creating havoc.

The American team’s quarterbacks also appeared to be getting into a rhythm. Kevin Rodgers of Henderson State, and Terrance Broadway of Louisiana-Lafayette completed many passes during the 1:40 session.

The Medal of Honor Bowl, which will be televised nationally by the NBC Sports Network, is a premier all-star that features the nation’s top draft-eligible college football players as projected for the NFL Draft. The game honors the Medal of Honor Museum Foundation, disable veterans, and wounded warriors.

Game tickets, which range from $15-$40, may be secured at the Medal of Honor Bowl Game’s dedicated website www.MOHbowl.com. They will also be available at The Citadel Athletic Ticket Office at 843/953-DOGS (3647). One Lucky ticket holder will drive home with a new Mercedes-Benz, thanks to Baker Motors and Mercedes-Benz.

For more information, please refer to Twitter:@MOHbowl and Facebook.com/MOHbowl

CHARLESTON, SC– The National team concluded day No. 2 of practice for the 2nd Annual Medal of Honor Bowl Game Tuesday afternoon at The Citadel’s Willson Field.

The National team, under the direction of former NFL and college head coach Chan Gailey, practiced in shoulder pads and helmets. With the gear on, Coach Gailey was able to pick up the intensity of practice.

Many Southeastern Conference players were making plays, including the University of South Carolina’s wide receiver Damiere Byrd and Texas A&M wide receiver Malcome Kennedy showcased their speed in one-on-one drills.

Buffalo University defensive tackle Kristjan Sokoli was hard to miss on the field. Not only does he have NFL size (6-5, 293), but he could also be found in the offensive backfield making plays on the running backs while harassing the quarterback. Sokoli was also the star of the one-on-one pass rushing drills against the offensive line.

In the team huddle following practice, Coach Gailey was very specific about this week’s goal. “You guys are here to make the NFL, not to party. The fun can wait.”

The approximately 150 NFL scouts circling the field surely helped emphasize the goal.

The Medal of Honor Bowl, which will be televised nationally by the NBC Sports Network, is a premier all-star that features the nation’s top draft-eligible college football players as projected for the NFL Draft. The game honors the Medal of Honor Museum Foundation, disable veterans, and wounded warriors.

Game tickets, which range from $15-$40, may be secured at the Medal of Honor Bowl Game’s dedicated website www.MOHbowl.com. They will also be available at The Citadel Athletic Ticket Office at 843/953-DOGS (3647). One Lucky ticket holder will drive home with a new Mercedes-Benz, thanks to Baker Motors and Mercedes-Benz.

For more information, please refer to Twitter:@MOHbowl and Facebook.com/MOHbowl

CHARLESTON, SC — Although this was only the first day of practice, one could tell the National team was quickly beginning to mesh.

The National team took The Citadel’s Willson Field for the first time as they prepare for the 2nd Annual Medal of Honor Bowl Game that will be held on Saturday. The team is under the guidance of Chan Gailey, the former head coach of the Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

The National team exhibited friendly competition as they practiced in shorts without helmets and pads.

Offensive lineman Kendall Lamm from Appalachian State was happy to return to the practice field after a “long wait from late November.”

Safety Keenan Lambert from Norfolk State was the playmaker of Monday’s practice with two interceptions. Also, Malcome Kennedy from Texas A&M had approximately 150 NFL scouts in awe with a great, one-handed touchdown catch.

After Monday’s initial practice, Coach Gailey was ecstatic with his team’s performance, especially compared to last year.

“Today was a much better first day than last year,” said Gailey, who guided the National team in the bowl’s inaugural year. “The team’s talent, execution and retention from meetings was very good for a first day of practice,” he added.

The Medal of Honor Bowl, which will be televised live nationally by the NBC Sports Network, is a premier all-star game the features the nation’s top draft-eligible college football players as projected for the NFL Draft. The game honors the Medal of Honor recipients and the game’s beneficiaries, the Medal of Honor Museum Foundation, disabled veterans and wounded warriors.

Game tickets, which range from $15-$40, may be secured at the Medal of Honor Bowl Game’s dedicated website www. MOHbowl.com. They will also be available at The Citadel Athletic Ticket Office at 843/953-DOGS (3647).  One lucky ticket holder will drive home with a new Mercedes-Benz, thanks to Baker Motors and Mercedes-Benz.

For more information, please refer to Twitter: @MOHbowl and Facebook.com/MOHbowl

CHARLESTON, SC — Practice for the 2nd Annual Medal of Honor Bowl Game began Monday afternoon at The Citadel’s Willson Field.

The American team, under the direction of South Carolina State University’s legendary coach Willie Jeffries, was first to take the field sporting just practice jerseys with no pads.

The National team’s practice followed the American team later in the day.

Approximately 150 NFL scouts lined the sidelines as the players went through a variety of drills and began to learn their team’s playbook.

The American team seemed to be excited to get back on the field after a short break from their collegiate seasons.

Two players that certainly pass the look-test for the NFL include wide receivers J.J. Nelson from Alabama-Birmingham and Kyle Prater from Northwestern University. According to one observer, Prater seems to have the size and Nelson has the speed to make an NFL roster.

“A great field of talent,” is what Coach Jeffries claimed after the first practice and said that the players have “absorbed teaching from their coaches very well.”

He added that the team will “learn by repetition,” for the rest of the week in order to put together the best product for the game. The American team will resume practice Tuesday in helmets and pads, so the coaches can get a better grasp of what talent is on the field.

The Medal of Honor Bowl, which will be televised live nationally by the NBC Sports Network, is a premier all-star game the features the nation’s top draft-eligible college football players as projected for the NFL Draft. The game honors the Medal of Honor recipients and the game’s beneficiaries, the Medal of Honor Museum Foundation, disabled veterans and wounded warriors.